Kiddie Koncierge: January Update
What is Kiddie Koncierge?

Kiddie Koncierge is the SF Bay
Area's premier resource for fun,
interesting, unique, and
creative kids activities.

We provide recommendations,
reviews, and resources on all
sorts of fun things to do in San
Francisco, Berkeley/Oakland,
San Jose, Marin, and beyond!
Welcome to Another Kiddie
Koncierge January Update!

Happy New Year!  The kids are back to school and the New Year is
off to a big start.   

During the Break, we took the kids to the slopes to take advantage
of the great snow and weather.  One place we found that was worth
a visit was
Donner Ski Ranch .  Lift tickets were inexpensive, it is
an easy day trip from the Bay Area, and it is not that crowded.  
Check out our full review on our
Snow Play Page.   

Don't forget, our
Resources Pages have a ton of great ideas on
things to do if your child is already bored with their presents.  Here
are some highlights:

Snow Play
With all the snow that we have been getting there is a lot of fresh
and man-made snow. The resorts and snow parks are open!   Just
a thought – if you are teaching kids, you do not necessarily need a
lift ticket if you do not mind walking up the hill.  Check out the
Snow
Play Guide for more details

Make sure to check out our
Facebook page.  If you like us, be our
fan!  Share us!  Pass us around!

SPECIAL OFFER!

Make sure to check out the  Resources Pages.  Here are some
highlights:

  • Performing Arts Schedule  UPDATED Our favorite venues
    have updated their 2009-2010 schedules.  Make sure to
    check out the shows coming up.  As usual, stay tuned as
    we will be offering free tickets again to our subscribers!
    Don't miss out!
  • CAMPS!  Not just for next summer, but for the winter breaks
    as well!
  • Museums and Other Attractions The Bay Area is rich with
    treasures and cool fun things to do! Our lists are broken
    down by region!
  • Check out the NEW Travel Koncierge Travel Ideas page for
    tips on how to better enjoy your vacations with your family!
  • We just added the Kiddie Koncierge Santa Barbara guide
    for your vacation planning enjoyment!
  • We have also added a Family Hiking Page for ideas on
    getting those young 'uns out in the fresh air.



Activities at a Glance


Year Round
  • Pick Your Own Produce, Brentwood

On-Going (Fridays)
  • 5:00 p.m., Cultural Encounters:  Friday Nights at the de
    Young, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Through February
  • Monarch Butterflies at Monarch Grove, Pacific Grove

Through March
  • Marine Mammal Migration, Point Reyes National Seashore

Sundays Through March 21st and Weds-Sat March 31-April 3
  • The Bubble Man's The Greatest Bubble Show on Earth,
    The Marsh San Francisco Main Stage Theater, 1062
    Valencia St (near 22nd Street), San Francisco

Sundays
  • The Buddy Club:  San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Rafael

Through February 15th EXTENDED!
  • Downtown Walnut Creek Ice Rink, 1365 Civic Drive at
    Broadway, Walnut Creek

Thursday, November 19th - April 18th
  • Golden Gate Express Garden Railway at the Conservatory
    of Flowers, Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy
    Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Saturdays, January 9th - February 13th
  • The Children's Theatre Association of San Francisco
    Presents The Beauty and the Beast at the Legion of Honor

Saturdays January 17-February 7th
  • e=girlpower2 Saturday Science Workshops for Girls,
    Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland

Saturdays through February 27th
  • 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Science on Saturdays,
    Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First Street, Livermore, FREE

Saturday, January 23rd
  • East Bay Mom's Preschool and Children's Resource Fair,
    Scottish Rite Center, Oakland

Saturday and Sunday, January 23rd and 24th
  • Cal Performances presents the Peking Acrobats at
    Zellerbach Hall.  Kids 16 and under are half price!

Saturdays and Sundays January 23rd - February 14th
  • Rumpelstiltskin at the Young Performers Theater, Fort
    Mason, San Francisco

Saturday and Sunday, January 30th and 31st
  • Golden Gate Kennel Club All-Breed Show, Cow Palace,
    San Francisco

Sunday, January 31st
  • 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Berkeley Ballet Boys Open House,
    Berkeley Ballet Theater, Julia Morgan Center for the Arts,
    2640 College Ave., Berkeley, FREE

Free 1st Tuesday, February 2nd

Free 1st Wednesday, February 3rd

Free 1st Thursday, February 4th

Saturday and Sunday, February 6th and 7th
  • Chinatown Flower Fair and Mini Parade, San Francisco

Saturday, February 6th, 20th, and 27th, and SUnday, February
28th
  • 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Vasco Caves Hike, Round Valley
    Regional Preserve (2/6. 27. 28) and Brushy Peak Regional
    Preserve (2/20 only) Registration Required

Saturday, February 6th
  • 11:00 a.m., Sippy Cups Perform at the Satur-Yay Series,
    Amador Theatre, Plesanton
  • 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 16th Annual  KNBR 680 Giants
    FanFest, AT&T Park, San Francisco, FREE
  • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Parade at 10:00 a.m.), Lunar New
    Year Festival and Parade, Solano Ave., Albany and
    Berkeley, FREE
  • 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 Sacramento Museum Day, Sacramento,
    FREE
  • 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Annual Orion Children's Authors
    and Illustrators Festival, Orion Elementary School, 815
    Allerton St., Redwood City, FREE

Sunday, February 7th
  • Super Bowl Sunday. Kick Off 6:30 Eastern on CBS

Free 1st Sunday, February 7th

Free 1st and 3rd Sundays (for Kids), February 7th and 21st

February 12th-28th
  • Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, British Columbia

Friday - Monday, February 12th - 15th
  • Cloverdale Citrus Fair, One Citrus Fair Drive., Cloverdale

Free 2nd Sunday, February 14th

Free 3rd Wednesday, February 17th

Saturday, February 27th
  • Chinese New Year Parade, San Francisco

Sunday, February 28th
  • JCC SF Family Fun Day:  Puppets, JCC-SF, 3200 California
    Street, San Francisco

Through March
  • Annual Elephant Seal Mating, Ano Nuevo State Preserve

Sunday, March 7th
  • 5:00 p.m., Academy Awards, ABC

April 2nd - 10th
  • Wondercon/SF International Children's Film Festival, San
    Francisco

Saturday, April 3rd
  • Most Egg Hunts occur the day BEFORE Easter.  Watch
    this space for our annual egg hunt guide.

Sunday, April 4th - Happy Easter!
  • Berkeley Rep Sunday Sampler Series, Berkeley Rep
    School of Theatre, 2071 Addison Street, Berkeley, FREE

Sunday, April 10th
  • Circus for Arts in the Schools, Koffman Auditorium, 220
    Central Ave., Alameda



The Detes


Year-Round
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (specific farms have different
hours) Pick-Your Own Produce, Brentwood, FREE
(picking is free, but you have to pay for the fruit)
Brentwood has a wonderful activity for the entire family.  You grab a
basket and head out into the orchards to pick the freshest fruit
available.  Once you have picked your fill, get it weighed and pay
the best price you'll find anywhere for the freshest fruit.  Make sure
to check the list of growers for what they offer and make sure that
they have U-Pick available.

Canciamilla Ranch on 401 Eureka Ave (925) 634-5123
These guys offer terrific peaches, nectarines, and plums in a
number of different varieties.  This ranch has been featured on the
news as a great place to go.

Visit
http://harvest4you.com/ for a list of farms by type of produce,
a map of the area, and a farm locater.  Of course, you should
probably check to make sure that the fruit is at its peak before you
head out.


Seasonal
January – March, Ano Nuevo State Reserve Annual
Elephant Seal Mating and Birthing, $5 per vehicle,
Guided Tour Tickets are $7 per person reservations
recommended  
Ano Nuevo is a special place.  It is a hike both literally and
figuratively since it is tucked away on the coast between Half Moon
Bay and Santa Cruz.  That being said, it is worth the drive.  From
the moment you arrive, you can hear the barking of the seals in the
sea breeze.  A quick hike later (you can do a self-guided hike for
free between April and November.  You must be accompanied by a
guide during breeding season), you are a set of bluffs overlooking
a beach filled with barking and belching life.  The adults are gone
by March leaving weaned pups who hang on the beach through
April.  Information on visiting the preserve can be found at
http:
//parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=523 with a link on the page to
online reservations (which are a must).  It is recommended that
you read this
http://parks.ca.gov/pages/523/files/ano%20nuevo%
20press%20release--2010sw.pdfbefore calling the reservation
line at
(800) 444-4445.

Through February
Monarch Butterfly Migration, Various Locations
These delicate creatures know how to live their short lives:  They
winter in Mexico with stops in Northern California and a few other
choice spots on their way home.  Here are a few local spots worth
checking out between October and February.  A lot of places are
home to rest stops for the Monarchs, but only a few have significant
concentrations of butterflies.  With this chilly weather, you are likely
to see these little orange and black  guys huddled together for
warmth.  Not sure how that works given that they are cold blooded,
but I digress.  For a good guide on butterflies, their life cycle, and
migratory habits, download this 12 page document:  
http://www.
monarchwatch.org/download/pdf/where.pdf
  • Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz  This is the only
    State Monarch Preserve in California.  There are all sorts of
    displays at the visitors center with eggs, caterpillars, and
    chrysalides.  Make sure to check out the natural rock
    bridges, tidal pools, and migrating whales.  For more
    information, visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541
  • Ardenwood, Fremont  In addition to the historical farm,
    there is a full-fledged Monarch rest stop.  ebparks.
    org/parks/ardenwood  Note:  Farewell to Monarchs Day is
    Sat., February 6th
  • Pacific Grove, Monterey Peninsula This is one of the
    classic overwintering locations in the area.  Visit http://www.
    pgmuseum.org/ for more details (click on Monarchs)
  • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel  Visit http://pt-
    lobos.parks.state.ca.us/Monarch.html for more details
  • San Leandro Golf Course, Alameda  Call to find out when
    you can see their eucalyptus trees draped in butterflies.  For
    directions, visit http://www.americangolf.com/ca/san-
    leandro-monarch-bay-golf-club
  • Bolinas Terrace, Bolinas, Marin  In the town of Bolinas, just
    off of Park at the intersection of Terrace and Mann are a
    good concentration of butterflies.  Muir Beach also has a
    smaller concentration of butterflies.


Through March
Marine Mammal Migration, Mating, Birthing, and
more:  Whales and Elephant Seals at the Point Reyes
National Seashore
The Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the few places on the
Pacific Coast where northern elephant seals and gray whales may
be observed and studied. What is more amazing is that Point
Reyes is about 30 minutes from Marin and an hour from SF or the
East Bay.

The elephant seals' semi-annual sojourns to the shores of Point
Reyes provide a unique opportunity to glimpse the lives and
behaviors of these elusive ocean giants. The Elephant Seal
Overlook near Chimney Rocky is a great place for viewing elephant
seals from December through March.  You can see the males
doing their dominance dance and pup birthing.  On weekends and
holidays, docents are available to provide guidance.

During the winter, you can also watch the migration of gray whales
as they make their way to Alaska from Baja.  Peak Southern
Migration is mid-January and the peak Northern Migration is mid-
March.  Late April and Early May offer you the chance to see
mothers and calves close to shore.  Best place to watch is from
areas near Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse

NOTE:  due to traffic concerns, the roads are closed and shuttle
buses from Drakes Beach provide transportation.  For details on
the shuttles, visit
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/shuttle.
htm

For details on watching seals, visit http://www.nps.
gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_elephantseals.htm

For information on watching whales, visit http://www.nps.
gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_whales.htm
The National Park Service also offers a number of ranger-lead
programs that provide the most informative ways to explore our
friends on the coast.  Click here for more details
http://www.nps.
gov/pore/planyourvisit/rangerprograms.htm


3Sundays Through April 3rd
Through January 24, 2010
Sundays, Feb 14 – March 21, 2010
Wed, March 31, 2010
Thur, April 1, 2010
Fri, April 2, 2010
Sat, April 3, 2010
no show March 7
11:00 a.m., The Bubble Man's The Greatest Bubble
Show on Earth, The Marsh San Francisco Main Stage
Theater, 1062 Valencia St (near 22nd Street), San
Francisco, $10 adults, $7 kids
This is the most amazing 45 minutes most of you have probably
ever experienced involving bubbles.  MOST of you.  I'm sure there
are stories, that are just not that suitable for your family activities
website.  Then again, your kids aren't reading this...and I digress.  
You will witness all kinds of extraordinary things such as spinning
flying saucer bubbles, square bubbles filled with fog, universe
bubbles with orbiting planets and bubble chains that look like
centipedes. There is lots of audience participation and some lucky
kids will find themselves inside bubbles, while others will get to
eat them. Warning: expect lots of excitement and laughter.  For
details, tickets, and directions, visit
http://www.themarsh.
org/bubble_guy_2009.html


Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Buddy Club, $7.00
(kids < 2 years FREE)
The Buddy Club has an ongoing series of kids’ entertainment at
three locations throughout the Bay Area:  the Berkeley JCC, the
Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael, and the Randall Museum Theatre
in San Francisco.  The Buddy Club shows are appropriate for all
ages and can entertain older kids and adults as well (this isn’t
necessarily baby stuff).  Visit their website at
www.thebuddyclub.
com (Please do NOT forget the “the” as one of our parents did.  
The resulting website is NOT suitable for family viewing).  The
shows are entertaining and engaging. The shows are also
suitable for birthday parties.  The following are the upcoming
shows.

Marin Buddy Club Shows, Hoytt Theater at the Osher
Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael,
February 7:  The Bubble Lady
March 14:  Dan Chan, the Magic Man

San Francisco Buddy Club Shows, Randall Museum
Theater, 199 Museum Way@ Roosevelt Way, San
Francisco
Note: SF Buddy Club Shows are at 11:00 a.m.  Randall Museum
members also enjoy a $2 discount per ticket.
February 7: Comedy illusionist, Brian Scott
February 21: From Wisconsin: magic, juggling and comedy with
Bob Kann
March 7: Robert Strong, Comedy magician
March 21: Hilarious cowgirl tricks with Karen Quist
April 11: Prop comic and juggler, Fred Anderson
April 25: Award winning Zappo the Magician

Berkeley Buddy Club, Berkeley JCC Theater, 1414
Walnut Street (Between Walnut and Rose),
February 7: Comedy magician, Robert Strong
March 7: World-renowned physical comedian, The Unique Derique.



10-14Saturdays Jan 10th - Feb 14th
Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Children's
Theatre Association of San Francisco Presents Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Florence Gould
Theater at the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, 34th
Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco, $12
The Children's Theatre

From Now until December 1st
East Bay Regional Parks Trails Challenge
This one kinda defies classification, but it is a great family activity.  
Thousands of people have participated in the Regional Parks
Trails Challenge over the past 15 years--over 6,000 last year alone!
Hike five of the 20 trails listed in the booklet by Dec. 1 and receive a
commemorative pin with the Trails Challenge logo (pins will be
mailed in the fall) plus pick up a free organic cotton T-shirt at a
Regional Parks visitor center. T-shirts will be available for pick up
in April and May only, one per person, two per household while
supplies last. If you can't pick up your shirt, pay mailing costs and
we’ll mail it to you.

The East Bay Regional Parks are encouraging participants to "go
green" this year by downloading the Trails Challenge guidebook
and printing only what you need (booklets are available; costs will
be charged to the participant). Upon registration, participants will
receive instructions on how to download the guidebook and how to
get your free organic cotton T-shirts.

Kaiser Permanente is a major sponsor of this program, enabling
EBRPD to offer materials for free to all Alameda and Contra Costa
county residents and Kaiser employees. Registration is required at
www.ebparks.org. No phone registrations. Registration begins
January 13, 2010



15Through February 15th
EXTENDED! Through 15 February 2010, Downtown
Walnut Creek on Ice, 1365 Civic Drive in Civic Park
(at Broadway and Civic – slightly different location),
Walnut Creek, Mon – Thu 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Fri 3:
00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Sat 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Sun
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. $11 - $15 including skate rental
Walnut Creek’s outdoor skating rink is truly lovely.  Nestled amidst
the trees (but somehow sunny when the weather calls for it), and
steps from a great playground and the downtown shopping area (if
you can handle the crowds), it is one of the nicer ones.  With the
lights in the trees, it will be especially pretty at night. Nothing but
pluses here:  parking in Walnut Creek is pretty easy, lessons are
available, and a shuttle serves BART.  For details visi
t http://www.
iceskatewalnutcreek.com/


27Through February 27th
9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Lawrence Livermore
National Labs Science on Saturdays (SOS) Lectures,
Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore, FREE
Are your kids into science?  Middle and high school students
(precocious elementary school students, I imagine, are welcome
as well) are invited to hear cutting-edge science lectures
presented by leading researchers at Lawrence Livermore National
Labs. Science on Saturday (SOS) is a series of science lectures
for middle and high school students. Each topic highlights cutting-
edge science occurring at the Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory (LLNL). The talks are presented by leading LLNL
science researchers supported by master high school science
teachers. Seating is on a first come basis. Seats may not be
reserved in advance. Call (925)-373-6800 or visit
http://education.
llnl.gov/SOS/?page=upcoming for more information

Students receive a "Student Notes" worksheet to record key
information from the talk. Students should check with their teacher
in advance to determine if they will receive credit for attending
SOS.  Teachers who attend the SOS presentations can receive a
FREE CD or DVD with the presentation slides by mail after the
completion of the lecture series for the year
.

This month’s lectures include
Feb 6 “Distant Worlds: Making Images of Other Solar Systems”  
Feb 13 “Put it Back When You Are Done: Storing Carbon Dioxide in
the Earth, Not the Atmosphere”  
Feb 20 “Understanding Climate Change:  Seeing the Carbon
Through the Trees” and
Feb 27 “Harnessing Fusion Energy:  The Power of Light”



19-18Thursday, Nov 19th - April 18th
Golden Gate Express Garden Railway, Conservatory
of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco, Adults $5-$7, Kids 12-17, $3.00 -
$5.00, Kids 5-11 $1.50-$2.00, Kids 4 and under FREE
Can’t argue too much with the price. If you are in the area after a
visit to the California Academy of Sciences or the Koret Playground,
the Golden Gate Park's Conservatory of Flowers has a cool display
that celebrates the City of San Francisco through an impressive
layout of G-gauge model trains winding their way through a lush
landscape of dwarf plants and steam past several replicas of
some of San Francisco's most famous places including the
Conservatory of Flowers itself, the Japanese Tea Garden, the
Golden Gate Bridge, Mission Dolores, Chinatown's dragon gate,
the Transamerica Pyramid building, the Ferry Building, Coit Tower,
Ghirardelli Square and the Bently Reserve (formerly the Federal
Reserve Building). Surrounding these landmarks is a magical
landscape of miniature gardens and parks created with living
plants including dwarf conifers, tiny orchids and more. Visitors will
also enjoy appearances by costumed volunteer conductors.  
Fog
even rolls in twice a day and a sound track adds to the ambiance.

This year some of the landmarks will be made from recycled
activities.  There will be a children's interactive train set that kids
can operate, a San Francisco history treasure hunt and much more.
For more details, visit
www.conservatoryofflowers.org



9-13Saturdays Jan 9th - Feb 13th
Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Children's
Theatre Association of San Francisco Presents The
Tale of the Beauty and the Beast, The Florence Gould
Theater at the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, 34th
Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco, $12
The Children's Theatre Association puts on great plays at the
Legion of Honor.  This year's show is a musical based on the
classic tale of the arrogant Prince who is turned into a terrible
Beast by an old woman to whom he denies shelter. A poor lost
widow plucks a forbidden rose from the cursed Beast’s castle
grounds, is caught red-handed and sentenced to death!

Meet the widow’s two distasteful daughters and greedy sons-in-
law who ignore their mother's story about meeting the Beast and
being sentenced to death declaring her insane instead! But her
third daughter, Beauty offers to go to the castle and live with the
Beast if her mother is allowed to go free. You're sure to be moved
by the Beast’s eventual transformation and return to the handsome
and loving prince he once was before the nasty spell was cast.

Experience thrills and laughs when the sons-in-law sneak into the
eerie castle and encounter all sorts of weird goings-on, including a
battle with some very strange, enchanted furniture. Spend an hour
with us and you too will be enchanted--by the wonderful words and
music of the incomparable writer, Vera Morris and
composer/lyricist Bill Francoeur..  The CTASF is very family
friendly:  kids on lap are free, Fine Arts members (and you know
who you are) get a $2 discount.  The show is about an hour so,
while the material is geared to the elementary school child, you
should use your judgement as to whether your child is capable of
sitting quietly for that long.  For details including tickets and
directions, visit their website at
http://www.ctasf.org



15Friday, January 15th
5:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m., Cultural Encounters:  Friday
Nights at the de Young $10 adults, $6 kids 13-17,
FREE for kids 12 and under
 
Friday nights, the museum is open late and the de Young folks
spice things up with music, film, dance, and special events.  You
can get dinner and cocktails at the cafe to make an evening of it.  
To make this a family event, there are hands-on art making
activities for kids and adults.  For details, visit the
Friday Nights
Web Page

Don't forget the Saturdays at the de Young program which
combines docent tours with artist-supervised art projects on
Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.  A
schedule of programs can be found at
http://www.famsf.
org/deyoung/calendar/day.asp?categoryid=30  For a reward, you
can march the little artists across JFK Drive to the Koret
Playground to get some ya-yas out.



23Saturday, January 23rd
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. East Bay Moms Preschool and
Childhood Resource Fair Scottish Rite Center, 1547
Lakeside Drive, Oakland, $3 members, $6 non
members
 
For those of you who are new to this or for those of you who want to
revisit the subject, this is a good opportunity to meet with
representatives from the schools, child care programs, etc.  
Details can be found at the www.eastbaymoms.com website.  A
list of participating organizations can be found at
http://www.
eastbaymoms.com/preschoolfair.htm



23-24Sat, Jan 23rd- Sun, Jan 24th
Cal Performances Presents the Peking Acrobats,
Zellerbach Hall, University of California Berkeley
Campus, Berkeley, $24-46 (children 16 and under 50%
off for all performances!)
Direct from the People's Republic of China, the ever-popular
Peking Acrobats travel the world as diplomats of their spirited
culture, for half a century leaving audiences spellbound by the
graceful presentation of their ancient folk art. With the addition of
dazzling special effects and live musical accompaniment from an
exotic Chinese orchestra, these awe-inspiring tumblers, cyclists,
jugglers, and clowns transform 2,000-year-old athletic disciplines
into a kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder. "Amazing!
Zounds! The vocabulary of exclamation seeks expression as the
medium of awed and surprised reaction to the wondrous feats of
the Peking Acrobats!" (The New York Times).   A serious "Don't try
this at home" sort of event.  If your kids are anything like me when I
was there age, they will be awestruck and inspired by their artistry
and skills.

For details on the performance, visit
http://www.calperfs.berkeley.
edu/presents/season/2009/family_fare/pa.php
Parking can be challenging, so plan accordingly.  Parking details
are available at
http://www.calperfs.berkeley.
edu/presents/information_desk/parking.php#alerts

Note: Kiddie Koncierge Subscribers can enter for FREE tickets to
the Saturday, 2:00 p.m. performance!
 Subscribe Now!



23-14Sat. & Sun. Jan 23rd - Feb 14th
Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30
p.m., Rumpelstiltskin, Young Performers Theater, Fort
Mason Center, Building C, San Francisco $10 adults,
$7 for children under 13
 
A father's boast that his daughter can spin straw into gold causes
a lot of difficulty.  Of course the king of the land hears of the boast
and orders the father to bring the girl to his kingdom and prove the
statement. "What to do.  What to do." the girl cries, begs and
suddenly one of fairy tales' favorite characters appears --
Rumpelstiltskin, who is only too glad to help out, but he demands
a heavy price.  Not to worry, it all works out in the end, happily ever
after!  A combined live actor and puppet show. This group does
very nice children's theater and is worth checking out. Tickets and
reservations at
http://www.ypt.org/tickets.htm and directions can
be found at
http://www.ypt.org/map.htm



30-31Sat & Sun, January 30th-31st
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Golden Gate Kennel Club All-
Breed Dog Show, Cow Palace, South San Francisco,
Adults $12, children $7, Families (2 adults + 2 kids):
$30
Looking for a dog?  Just like them?  Want a pure-bred, AKC-
registered dog with champion lineage?  This is your show.  This is
*the* go-to show if you are researching breeds and wanting to
meet breeders.  In between watching the judging (a la “Best in
Show”) and agility demonstrations, the dogs and their breeders
will be in the exhibition halls so that you can see the dogs and talk
to the experts about them.  There are also oodles of vendor booths
with everything imaginable for your dog.  For information and
tickets go to
http://www.goldengatekc.com/.



31Sunday, January 31st
12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Berkeley Ballet Boys Open
House, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Julia Morgan Center
for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley, FREE
You'd be surprised who ends up being great dancers.  Just ask
Herschel Walker and Lynn Swann to name a few.  Then, who can
forget MJ?  If your child has even the remotest interest in dance or
just has a great time breaking it down to tunes in your living room,
you should check this out.  The Berkeley Ballet Theater is hosting
an afternoon of dance events featuring
  • Daddy and Me (12:30 - 1:00 p.m.) session at noon geared
    to 3 and 4 year olds
  • Dance Fitness (1:00 - 1:30 p.m.) geared to 5 and 6 year
    olds; and our favorite:
  • Dance Clinics in Capoiera, Ballet, Hip Hop and Dance
    Fitness from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.) for 7 to 18 year olds
This last segment is pretty cool:  four professionals will run the
participants through a little over 30 minute clinic in each of four
dance styles to give the guys a flavor for dance.  The best part is it
is FREE and no reservations are necessary.  We know the hip-hop
teacher and, if he is any indicator, the participants are in for a great
time.  For more details, visit
http://www.berkeleyballet.
org/pdfs/boys_open_house.pdf



6-7Sat-Sun, February 6-7th
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 6:
00 p.m. Chinatown Flower Fair, Washington below
Grant Street, San Francisco, FREE
The Flower Fair is a great way to begin the Chinese New Year
Celebration.  The Fair begins with a Mini Parade Preview on
Saturday, February 6th at 10:30 a.m., Chinatown, San Francisco
(from California and Grant to Jackson and Grant If crowds aren’t
your thing, and you still want to ring in the year of the Tiger,  come
check out this smaller version of the Chinese New Year parade
that follows 3 weeks later.  This one starts at California and Grant
and follows Grant to the stage at Jackson four blocks later.  Once
you finish with the parade, you can visit the Flower Fair on Grant
from Broadway to Clay; Pacific Ave. from Stockton to Kearny, and
Jackson between Stockton and Kearny where you can buy flowers,
plants, fruits and candies and enjoy activities and entertainment
from 10:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m. and also on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:
00 p.m. (no parade on Sunday) Want to enjoy the Year of the Tiger
but don't want to deal with the crowds two weeks later when the
official parade takes over downtown San Francisco?  Check out
this mini-parade with dragons and puppets and spend the rest of
the day enjoying the Chinatown Flower Fair .  Besides flowers,
plants, fruit, and sweets, the Fair will feature demonstrations and
entertainment including dragon dances, martial arts
demonstrations and more.  For details, visit
http://www.
chineseparade.com/parade_events.asp?pEvent=flower_fair


6-27Saturdays, February 6, 20, 27
7Sunday, February 28th
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Vasco Caves Hike, Shuttles
Stage From Round Valley Regional Preserve 2/6, 27,
28) and Brushy Peak Regional Preserve (2/20), $30
($34 for non-residents)
For Kids 10 + and their families, these occasional tours to see  
Vasco’s spectacular outcrops and vernal pools – seasonal home
of endangered amphibians and fairy shrimp are a must-
experience. This is habitat for eagles and various nesting and
migrating raptors hunting bountiful prey in robust restored
grasslands. Archaeological sites contain Indian rock art, part of a
complex reaching back nearly 10,000 years. This Preserve is
accessible through guided tours only, staging from Round Valley
Regional Preserve and Brushy Peak Regional Preserve aboard
District-provided bus transportation. (10+yrs)
Registration is. Required: 1-888-EBPARKS The event codes are
Feb 6: 23138
Feb 20: 23141
Feb 27: 23139
Feb 28: 23140



6Saturdays, November 7th through March 6th
11:00 a.m. SaturYAY! Series at the Amador Theater,
Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, Adults $10-18
most shows and Children $6-14
The Amador Theater in Pleasanton has this terrific Saturday
matinee series with wonderful family-friendly entertainment.  This
week, it is the Gizmo Guys, a highly entertaining pair of jugglers
whose humor and skills enrapture audiences all over.  Going
forward, here is the run-down:
  • February 6th, 2010 - the Sippy Cups
  • March 6th, 2010 - Beethoven's Wig
For more information and tickets, visit www.amadortheater.org

10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 17th Annual  KNBR 680 Giants
FanFest, AT&T Park, San Francisco, FREE
Baseball fans of all ages come and join the San Francisco Giants
and KNBR for the 17th Annual KNBR 680 Giants FanFest. The San
Francisco Giants will be hosting a day at the park where you can
meet a lot of your favorite players, enjoy interactive games, a Kids
Zone, and activities and exhibits throughout the ballpark, tour the
dugout and club house, get player autographs, meet Lou Seal and
much more.  For information, call 415-972-2000 or visit
http:
//sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/fan_forum/fanfest.jsp

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Parade at 11:00 a.m.), Lunar
New Year Festival and Parade, Solano Ave., Albany
and Berkeley, FREE
Come down to Solano Ave. in the Cities of Albany and Berkeley for
a celebration of the year of the Ox!  There will be a parade down
Solano starting at 10:00 a.m. followed by performances from 11 a.
m. - 2:00 pm on the main stage at the Albany Twin Theatre at 1115
Solano.  Entertainment includes Drums by DJ Wind Chinese Music
Academy, Dance by the Chinese Arts Program, Chinese
Acrobatics, Martial Arts by Golden Lion, Chinese Instrumental
Music, and Chinese Opera. Of course, there will be plenty of Asian
Food for sale.

10:00 a.m. -  4:00 p.m., Sacramento Museum Day,
Sacramento, FREE
The Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and Umpqua
Bank offer FREE admission to 26 Sacramento museums including
the ever-cool California State Railroad Museum. For detailed
information about participating sites, free shuttles and more, visit
www.sacmuseums.org/museumday.html.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Annual Orion Children's
Authors and Illustrators Festival, Orion Elementary
School, 815 Allerton St., Redwood City, FREE
Orion Elementary hosts its popular Children's Book Authors and
Illustrators Festival.   This is a free event featuring award-winning
children's authors and illustrators from throughout the Bay Area.
Books and food will be available for purchase; Spanish language
translation available. This year's lineup includes Alexandra Boiger;
Ying Chang Compestine; Elisa Kleven; Tim Myers; LeUyen Pham;
Rachel Rodriguez; and Joyce Carol Thomas.  Come meet your
favorite authors and illustrators!   There will be book signings and
author presentations throughout the event. For a schedule and list
of authors and bios, visit
http://www.rcsd.k12.ca.
us/189020162345050/site/default.asp



7,21Sunday, February 7th and 21st
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm, SFMOMA  Might as Well Jump,
Koret Visitor Education Center, SF MOMA, 151 Third
Street, San Francisco, FREE
Mod-erators lead participatory art projects and provide supplies
and support as you create your own works of art. Docents conduct
engaging, family-friendly gallery tours. Special activities include
book readings and movie screenings. Look. Think. Create. That's
Family Sunday.

If you haven’t done one of these family studios, it is a great
program:   admission is FREE for kids, the kids get a well-
designed and supervised activity that immerses them into the
collection, and, well, SF MOMA is a gem of a museum.  The Koret
Center is on the 2nd floor.  Even if there is no activity in session, it
is worth visiting with your kids.  Please note: capacity is limited;
families will be served as space is available.

represented companies and careers, visit
http://www.
girlscoutsbayarea.org/pages/events/ggt_career.html



12-15Fri, Feb 12th – Mon, Feb 15th
Cloverdale Citrus Fair, Citrus Fair Grounds, No. 1
Citrus Drive, Cloverdale, $6 adults, $4 kids, Monday,
“Kids Day”, kids 6-12 are FREE
Kicking off the Ag fair season is the Cloverdale Citrus Fair!  Come
visit beautiful Cloverdale (just 15 minutes past Healdsburg) for
parades, food, entertainment (music, a hypnotist, clowns, jugglers,
stories, talent shows, etc.), farm animals, carnival rides, and
more.  If you haven’t visited one of these fairs, you are really
missing out, especially with good weather. This weekend should
be spectacular up there.  Kids love these fairs (especially the
animals), the cost is low, and there is even stuff that is fun for
adults.  

Details
http://www.cloverdalecitrusfair.org/  or call 707-894-3992
Directions:  The Fair Grounds are just off the 101 N in Cloverdale.  
Exit at Citrus Fair Drive Exit and hang a left at the base of the exit.



27Saturday, February 27th
5:15 p.m. Chinese New Year Parade, San Francisco
FREE
 
Gung Hee Fat Choy!  Celebrate the Lunar Year 4708, the year of
the Tiger!  This is the big parade. Come early and take public
transportation as the crowds can be fierce. The Route starts at
Market and snakes through Downtown ending up on Kearny
between Washington and Jackson.  If the map below is not
supported by your email browser, click here
http://www.
chineseparade.com/route.asp (you DO NOT need to install the
Adobe Flash Player to view the map)

For viewing, forget about Market Street, Geary Street or Union
Square, the crowds are crazy.  Instead, Post Street tends to be a
little more civilized and you might even be able to pull up a curb for
a seat.  

Parking is probably best at the Mission and Fifth garage as getting
to Ellis/O’Farrell, Union Square, Sutter Stockton or Portsmouth will
be all but impossible (let alone getting out).

Either before or after the parade, check out the
Chinatown
Community Street Fair
on Grant from Broadway to Clay on
February 27th (10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) and February 28th (9:00 a.
m. - 5:00 p.m.) - NO PARADE ON SUNDAY, the 28th; Pacific Ave.
from Stockton to Kearny, and Jackson between Stockton and
Kearny where you can experience Chinese cultural
demonstrations and performances including lion dancing, martial
arts, calligraphy, traditional dance, and puppet shows.  There will
also be a children's area with a petting zoo and games.

12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m., E=girlpower2, Saturday
Science Workshop for Girls Grade 5-8, Chabot Space
and Science Center, Oakland, $20 per person, $15 for
members
This is a terrific program that inspires young girls (grade 5-8) to
develop skills and explore the wonders of science, technology,
engineering, and math.  To register, call (510 336-7373



28Sunday, February 28th
10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., JCCSF Family Fun Day, JCC
San Francisco, 3200 California Street at Presidio, San
Francisco, $10 adults ($6 members)
Family Fun Days are a great way to enjoy a Sunday together
especially if it is a little cold and rainy outside. Bring your family to
the JCCSF for a day filled with fun activities for you and your
children. Your day includes a special performance and lots of
special activities.  Come early for Kindergym at 10 a.m., arts and
crafts at 10:15, a performance at 11:30 a.m., and a family swim at 2:
00.  Best for kids 9 and younger.

This Sunday, enjoy puppets with professional, Russian-trained
puppeteer, Dmitry. Dmitry has been entertaining and enriching the
lives of children and adults for the last 20 years. His show includes
large marionettes, hand puppets and wooden "limberjack"
puppets, and consists of comedy sketches, accompanied by
music and songs from different countries.

You can take your chances parking on the street (good luck) or you
can bite the bullet and park in the JCC parking garage (enter from
the westbound lanes of California) for $1.50 /half hour
Directions are available at
http://www.jccsf.org/about-us/general-
information/directions/


2-10April 2nd-10th
San Francisco Bay Area International Children’s Film
Festival at WonderCon, Moscone Center South and
other Bay Area Venues, Admission (children under 11
free with paid adult admission)
If your kid loves comics or if you are using your kid as an excuse to
attend, this is NorCal’s premiere comics and pop culture
convention.  Yeah, the media and Simpson’s paint this crowd with
a rather pejorative brush, but it can be fun.  Even if you don’t go to
the convention (why would you miss the ComicCon of the North?  If
you pay for one, you get both admissions together), you should
check out the films in the film festival.  They are fresh and fun
movies geared to kids.  

For a full list of films and venues, visit
http://www.sfchildrensfilm.
org/.  For more information, visit www.comic-con.org/wc/, email
sfchildrensfilm@cox.net or call (760) 453-2922.



4Sunday, April 4th
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Berkeley Rep Sunday Sampler
Series, Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, the Berkeley
Rep School of Theater, Nevo Education Center, 2071
Addison Street, Berkeley, FREE
Bring your family, bring a friend or treat yourself to the wide variety
of programming offered at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre,
including acting, improvisation, stage combat and clowning.

Taught by professional theatre artists, our classes offer people of
all ages and abilities an opportunity to explore the craft of theatre
and experience the joy of dynamic engagement with their own
creativity.

The Sunday Sampler is free and open to youth, teens, adults and
families.

Following a brief introduction at 1pm, participants may sample
three different classes from a menu of options at 1:20pm, 2:00pm
and 2:30pm.

The Sunday Sampler is held at the Berkeley Rep School of
Theatre, 2071 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94704.

For more information about the Sunday Sampler, please e-mail
school@berkeleyrep.org or call 510 647–2972.



11Sunday, April 11th
Performances TBA, Circus for Arts in the Schools,
Koffman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave., Alameda,
Tickets on sale shortly
Mark your calendars.  This is a show not to be missed.  It is not
Ringling Brothers or Cirque du Soleil although many of the
performers have had careers with one or the other.  The 70-minute
shows feature acts of skill, daring and silliness with acrobats,
clowns, jugglers and musicians (all donating their time), including
performers of Cirque du Soleil, the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe and
Pickle Family Circus fame. All the Proceeds from the Circus will
support arts education in the Alameda Unified School District.  It is
a very intimate space and the acts delight kids of all ages.  We hit a
number of circuses from time to time and we put this one on our
short list.  For more details, visit
http://www.circusforarts.
org/circus2010/

That's it for now!
Kiddie Koncierge
A seedling of ImuaPartners, LLC
Copyright 2006-2010 Kiddie Koncierge™, all rights
reserved.
Other Events From Past Kiddie
Koncierges

Bank of America FREE Museum
Weekend, FREE Admission to
Museums for Bank of America
Cardholders (ATM, Check, Credit
Card)  The first weekend of every
month through early 2010 is FREE
admission to selected Bay Area
Museums for Bank of American card
holders.  Bay Area Museums include:
  • Tech Museum of Innovation,  
  • San Jose Museum of Art,
  • Contemporary Jewish Museum,
  • deYoung Museum,
  • Legion of Honor
  • Museum of the African
    Diaspora,
  • Explorit Science Center (Davis),
For details on participating museums
and FREE dates, visit
http://promotions.
bankofamerica.com/museums/

From Now until December 1st
East Bay Regional Parks Trails
Challenge (
Click here for details)
SPONSOR
THIS PAGE!
Click here to
contact us!
On Going
It’s the weekend and your kids are
climbing the walls.  At a loss for
something to do?  The following are
events that are happening every
week.  Visit our
Weekend Page for full
details.

Saturdays        
  • Viewing and Doing Art, de
    Young, San Francisco
  • Saturdays are Special, Randall
    Museum, San Francisco FREE
  • Charles Chocolates Factory
    Tours, Emeryville
  • Jelly Belly Factory Tours,
    Fairfield
  • MOCHA Drop-In Studio, Oakland
  • Lakeshore Learning Store Free
    Crafts Projects, Walnut Creek,
    San Leandro, San Jose
  • Home Depot Kids Workshops,
    1st Saturday of each month

Sundays        
  • Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
  • Drop In Art, Contemporary
    Jewish Museum, San Francisco
  • ITK Culinary Kid's Cooking
    Classes, Sausalito
  • Family Fun Days, JCC SF, San
    Francisco
  • Family Studio, SF MOMA, San
    Francisco
  • The Buddy Club, San Francisco,
    Marin, Berkeley
  • Charles Chocolates Factory
    Tours, Emeryville
  • Jelly Belly Factory Tours,
    Fairfield
  • MOCHA Drop-In Studio, Oakland
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